Mailing closure for cards



July 30, 1940. v. E. HEYwooD MAILING CLOSURE FOR CARDS 2 Sheets-Sheet lFglled Aug. 19, 1935 July 30, 1940. v. E. HEYwooD MAILING CLOSURE FORCARDS Filed Aug. 19, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllllliIJ Patented July 30,1940 UNITED STATES MAILING CLOSURE FOR CARDS Vincent E. Heywood,Worcester, Mass., assignor to United States Envelope Company, Springeld,Mass.,

a corporation of Maine Applicatiun August 19, 1935, serial No. 36,804

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improved mailing closure for varioussizes of cards, such as automobile registrations, licenses and the like,which are customarily inscribed with names and addresses and utilized inconnection with closures of the window envelope type for mailing inlarge quantities.

While certain forms of card mailing closures have heretofore beenprovided, either as separate compartments, or as embodied intwo-compartment envelopes, all such previous card mailing closures of agiven size have been adapted to receive only one size of card, in orderto insure proper registration of the name and address on each card withthe Window opening of the closure.

According to the present invention, there is provided an improved formof closure for the mailing of cards and the like, characterized by thefact that a given size of closure is adapted to properly registerseveral different sizes of cards with its window opening. 'I'he closureis further characterized by the fact that both sealing of the closureand the proper positioning of a card therein may be quickly eiected bybringing into contact areas of dry-sealing adhesive,-that is to say,adhesive of the type that is adapted to adhere to itself uponnon-moistened contact, thereby greatly facilitating the loading andsealing of such closures. The above and other advantageous features ofthe invention will hereinafter more fully appear from the followingdescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of closure embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the positioning of a card, prior tosealing the closure of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the closure of Fig. 1 in sealed condition. l

Fig. 4 illustrates another form of closure embodying the invention,prior to the positioning of a card. ff

Fig. 4a shows the closure of Fig. 4 folded over for packing.

Fig. 5 shows the closure of Fig. 4 folded so as to position a cardtherein.

Fig. Gnshows the reverse side of the closure of Fig. 5 in sealedcondition.

Fig. '7 shows the card closure associated with the outside wall of anenvelope.

Fig. 8 is a view of the envelope of Fig. '7,with a card positioned,preparatory to sealing.

Fig. 9 shows the envelope with the card sealed therein.

Fig. 10 shows the blank for a single compartment envelope havingprovision for positioning cards therein by dry-sealing adhesive.

Fig. 11 shows the blank of Fig. 10` made into an envelope.

Fig. 12 shows tlie envelope with parts broken away to show a cardpositioned therein ready for sealing.

Fig. 13 shows the reverse side of the envelope of Fig. l2 in s'ealedcondition.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view along the line |4-I4 of Fig. 13.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the diiierent figures.

Referring iirst to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the invenl5 tion is shown, in itssimplest form, as being embodied in a blank I which may be readilyconverted into a closure for holding a previously addressed card inproper registration with a window opening. To this end, the blankprovides g@ a window opening 2 covered by a transparent panel 3 of anydesired type, with a series of right angled card registration lines ddisposed on the same side of the blank as the panel 3. The blank l alsoprovides a centrally located score 25 line 5, and the card registrationlines 4 are so positioned as to be in substantial registration with theWindow panel 3, should the blank be folded along itsl score line 5.

The entire surface of the blank l which carries the window panel 3 andregistration lines d is coated with an adhesive 6 of such a characterthat it will adhere to itself upon nonmoistened contact, although itwill not adhere to the material of the blank. Preferably, the 35adhesive 6 is applied in the form of a dispersed rubber solution, or asnatural or compounded latex, the invention also contemplating the use ofother similar dry-sealing adhesives in the form of thermoplastics suchas arclor resins or galyptols, either alone or in combination. By reasonof the above described qualities of the adhesive 6, prepared blanks lcan be packed front to back and handled in flat condition, withoutpossibility of premature engagement of the adhesive-coated surfaces,prior to using the same for mailing purposes, as willv neXt bedescribed.

When it is desired to mail a previously addressed card of given size bymeans of a blank `I, the card 'l is positioned on the .blank with 50 itsaddressed face up, as shown in Fig. 2, and with the edges of the cardregistering with one of the lines 4 corresponding most closely to theexact size of the card. The blank I is then folded along the score line5 to bring the opposed 55 dry-sealing adhesive areas into engagement andat the same time to register the Window opening 2 with the address onthe card 1, as shown in Fig. 3. The engaged portions of the blank I arethen pressed flat, which action performs the double function ofpositively positioning the card 1 with its address in exact registrationwith the window opening 2, and of converting the entire blank into asealed closure. It is to be noted that the sealing is accomplishedwithout any adhesion to the card itself by reason of the inherentcharacteristics of the adhesive 6, so that the closure may be opened bypulling apart the adhesively-engaged areas to permit removal of thecard. Obviously, closures of the type shown in Fig. 1 may be loaded andsealed with several diiferent sizes of cards in proper registration, andwith a minimum expenditure of time and effort.

Referring now to Figs. 4, and 6, the closure of the invention is shownas being embodied in a blank 8 which may be converted into a closurehaving more of the properties of a conventional envelope than theclosure made from the blank I. The blank I provides a window opening 9covered by a transparent panel I0, with a series of rightangledregistration lines II arranged in symmetrical relation with reference toone corner of the panel Il). The blank further provides a score line I2beyond which extends a seal iiap I3 and a second score line I4 extendinglongitudinally of the blank substantially midway between the score lineand the opposite edge I5 of the blank, which score linel I4 may be inthe form of perforations.

The same side of the blank 8 which carries the window panel I0 and theregistration lines I I also provides spaced areas I6, I1 and I8 coatedwith dry-sealing adhesive of the same character as the adhesive 6 on theblank I. The adhesive area IB is applied to the seal flap I3 along itsouter edge, while the adhesive areas I1 and I8 are of correspondingshape and symmetrically disposed with reference to the central scoreline I4. 'Ihe reverse side of the blank is provided with a fourthadhesive area I9 corresponding in shape to the adhesive area I6 on theseal flap I3, which area I9 is offset from the blank edge I5 the samedistance that the seal flap area I6 is offset from the score line I2.

When it is desired to mail a card 20 of given size with the blank 8, acard, shown indotted lines in Fig. 4, is placed with one cornercoinciding with the particular registration line II which brings theaddress on the opposite side of the -card in registration with thewindow opening 9.

The blank is then folded along the score line I4 to bring thedry-sealing adhesive area I8 into engagementwith the corresponding areaI1 along the upper edge of the previously-positioned card 20, therebypositively holding the card in registration with the window opening 9.This folding also serves to position the dry-sealing adhesive area I9just below the score line I2, so that sealing of the closure is readilycompleted by folding over the seal flap I3 to engage the adhesive areaI6 with the area I9.

The closure then appears as a conventional window envelope, as shown inFig. 6, and it is obvious that the registration between the address onthe card and the window opening 9 cannot be disturbed during thehandling of the closure in the mails by reason of the adhesion betweenthe dry-sealing areas I1 and I8. When it is desired to remove the card20, the closure may be quickly opened by tearing along the score line I4and seizing one corner of the card 20 after turning aside one flap ofthe envelope, as indicated. The card may then easily be removed, owingto the fact that it is not engaged by any adhesive, but onlyfrictionally held by the adhesively-engaged portions around its upperedges.

In order to pack a number of blanks 8 without danger of prematurecontact between the drysealing adhesive areas, each blank provides afourth score line 2l along which the blank may be folded to dispose theadhesive area I9 on the same side of the blank as the adhesive areas I6and I1, and with the adhesive area I8 covered, as shown in Fig. 4a.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the invention is shown as being embodied in anenvelope 22 which may be employed, if desired, for loading withsecondclass matter such as registration plates, in conjunction with themailing of a registration card as first-class matter. As shown, the rearwall of the envelope is constituted by adhesivelyconnected side flaps 23and 24, and the overlying flap 24 provides a smaller extended flap 25having a window opening 26 covered by a transparent panel 21. A scoreline 28 extends between the aps 24 and 25, and a series of right-angledregistration marks 29 are so positioned on the rear surface of the ilap24 that the panel 21 will register with these lines when the free flap25 is folded over.

The same surface of the ap 25 which carries the panel 21, and acorresponding area'of the flap 24, are coated with a dry-sealingadhesive 30 having the same characteristics as the adhesive 6, asapplied to the blank I, the adhesive 30 being preferably applied to theenvelope in one application. When it is desired to mail a card 3I of agiven size with the envelope 22, the card 3I is positioned, addressedface up, with reference to one of the registration lines 29, as shown inFig. 8, after which the flap 25 is folded over to bring the dry-sealingadhesive 30 thereon into engagement with that portion of the adhesive onthe flap 24 which is not covered by the card 3|. Pressure applied to theiiap 25 therefore results in positively positioning the card 3| with itsaddress in register with the window opening 26, as well as in sealingthe first-class compartment thus provided, as shown in Fig. 9. Theenvelope 22 is thus converted into a two-compartment envelope adaptedfor mailing material of diierent postal classifications.

Referringnow to Fig. 10, there is shown a blank 32 for conversion intoan envelope of conventional type, with provision for holding a card inregister with a window opening 33 covered by atransparent panel 34. Theblank 32 provides a seal flap 35 carrying an adhesive 36, which requiresmoistening, and corresponding areas of dry-sealing adhesive 31 and 38symmetrically disposed with reference to a score line 39. In themanufacture of an envelope from a blank 32, the seal flap 35 is firstfolded over upon the score line 40 to cover the dry-sealing adhesivearea 31. When the remainder of the body of the blank is folded along thescore line 39 into engagement with the previously folded over side aps4I, the dry-sealing adhesive area 38 is separated from the area 31 bythe interposed seal ap 35. The envelope then appears as shown in Fig.11.

When it is desired to load the envelope with a card 42, the seal flap 35is pulled out from the envelope pocket, as shown in Fig. 12, after whichthe card 42 is positioned with its addressed face in register with thewindow opening 33. The

front and rear walls of the envelope are then pressed together to engagethe dry-sealing adhesive areas 31 and 38 above the upper edges of thecard 42, thereby positively holding the card 42 in position, as shown atthe broken away por.- tion of the rear envelope wall in Fig. 12. Sealingof the envelope by means of the wet-sealing adhesive 36 on the flap 35is then accomplished in the usual manner, the loaded and sealed envelopethen appearing as shown in Figs. 13

and 14.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that by the present invention thereis provided an improved closure for cards and the like, characterized bythe provision of dry-sealing adhesive areas on an envelope blank, or ona previously formed envelope, with such dry-sealing adhesive areasadapted to perform the double function -of holding a card in exactregistration with the window opening, and of sealing the closure. V

I claim:

1,-A mailing device having a Window opening therein, characterized bythe provision of corresponding dry-sealing adhesive areas disposed onopposite sides of a line of folding, which areas upon being brought intopartial engagement, serve to register the address on an enclosure withsaid window opening, with said enclosure separating portions of saidadhesive areas.

2. A mailing device having a window opening therein, characterized bythe provision of corresponding dry-sealing adhesive areas disposed onopposite sides of a line of folding, which areas upon being brought intopartial engagement, serve to eect sealing of the device, as well as toproperly position an addressed enclosure with reference to said windowopening, with said enclosure separating portions of said adhesive areas.

3. A closure having a window opening and a series of lines symmetricallydisposed with reference to said opening, characterized by the provisionof corresponding dry-sealing adhesive areas disposed on opposite sidesof a line of folding, which areas upon being brought into contact, serveAto position an addressed card previously placed in register with one ofsaid lines in proper relation to said window opening.

4. A closure having a window opening and a series of lines symmetricallydisposed with reference to said opening, characterized by the provisionof corresponding dry-sealing adhesive areas disposed on opposite sidesof a line of folding, which areas upon being brought into contact, serveto position an addressed card previously u placed in register with oneof said lines in proper relation to said window opening, as well as toseal the closure.

y5. A closure having a window opening and a series of linessymmetrically disposed with reference to said opening, characterized bythe pro- -vision of corresponding dry-sealing adhesive upon beingbrought into partial engagement,

serve to hold an addressed card with its edge in register with one ofsaid lines and its address in register with said Window opening whileengagement of other of said areas serves to seal the closure with thecard so positioned.

'7. A closure blank having a window opening covered by a transparentpanel and corresponding areas of dry-sealing adhesive so disposed onopposite sides' of a line of folding with reference to said windowopening as to maintain an addressed card in register therewith when saidblank is folded to bring said adhesive areas into partial engagement,with said card separating unengaged portions of said adhesive areas.

8. An envelope having one wall thereof provided with a free flap havinga window opening therein, the said ap as well as an adjacentcorresponding area of the envelope wall being coated with a drysealingadhesive, folding over of said flap into engagement with said wallserving to partially engage said drysealing adhesive and to position anaddressed card beneath said flap in register with said window openingwith said card entirely surrounded by the engaged adhesive.

9. An envelope having one wall thereof provided with a free ap having awindow opening therein and a vseries of lines symmetrically disposed onthe adjacent wall portion with reference to said window opening, theoutside of said iiap as well as the corresponding adjacent area. ofsaidrear wall being coated with a dry-sealing adhesive, whereby folding overof said ap to engage an addressed card previously placed with referenceto one of said lines serves to partially engage said adhesive and toenclose'said card with its address in register with said window opening.

VINCENT E. HEYWOOD.

